At least 33 people have been killed and scores injured in a suicide bomb attack on a gathering of Sunni and Shia Muslim tribal leaders in western Baghdad today.

The bomber, who detonated an explosive vest, struck in a crowded market in the Abu Ghraib district of the city. Police in the district said the group, which included dignitaries and security officials, were attacked as they left a reconciliation meeting at the district council's office.

At least 50 people are believed to have been injured in the attack and among the dead were policemen and two journalists.

One member of staff at Yarmouk hospital told Reuters that it had received the body of a journalist working for al-Baghdadiya, an independent television station in Iraq.

The meeting of tribal leaders was one of a growing number promoted by the Iraqi government in an attempt to stem sectarian violence.

A police source said the meeting was called to discuss "national reconciliation" among Iraq's former warring factions. The Iraqi prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, has also made reconciliation a leitmotif of his administration ahead of national elections towards the end of the year.

Today's attack demonstrates that despite a general improvement in security across the country, insurgents still retail the ability to wreak havoc.

It comes two days after another suicide bomber on a motorbike killed 30 people and wounded 57 near the city's police academy in eastern Baghdad. On the same day, the US announced 12,000 American troops and 4,000 British troops would be withdrawn in September.